BradycardiaNot what you're looking for? Show OverviewThe heart muscle is responsible for circulating blood throughout the body. When the heart does not operate as it is supposed to and develops an abnormally slow heart rate that is less than 60 beats per minute, the condition is known as bradycardia. Bradycardia can be life threatening if the heart is unable to maintain a rate that pumps enough oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. SymptomsThe main symptom of bradycardia is a heart rate below 60 beats per minute. This abnormally low heart rate can cause the brain and other organs to become oxygen-deprived, which can lead to symptoms such as:
In rare cases when bradycardia goes undiagnosed for an extended period of time, the following complications can occur:
Causes and Risk Factors Bradycardia is caused by a disruption in the heart's electrical system that controls the heart rate. This disruption can come from four possible causes:
Other risk factors that may contribute to a disruption of the electrical impulses associated with bradycardia include:
Bradycardia can affect patients of all ages, genders and ethnicities. However, older patients are at an increased risk as well as patients with the following risk factors:
DiagnosisDiagnosis of bradycardia will generally begin with the physician taking a medical history and performing a physical exam. During the physical exam, the physician will listen to the patient's heart to detect if there is an abnormal heart rate. Patients are also asked for a detailed description of their symptoms. Symptoms may suggest the presence of bradycardia. If so, or if an abnormal heart rate is observed, the physician may order an electrocardiogram to confirm it. An EKG is a painless procedure that records the electrical activity of the heart. If the abnormal heart rhythm is intermittent, the patient may need to wear a Holter monitor. This portable device allows the medical team to observe the patient's heart over a longer period of time and helps diagnose the condition if the abnormal rhythm happens while the patient is not at the hospital. Depending on the patient's symptoms and the results of the other diagnostic tests, an echocardiom may be prescribed. This noninvasive procedure uses a machine called a transducer that bounces sound waves off the heart and back into the transducer. These echoes are then translated into visual images. Other diagnostics may include the tilt table test and exercise test to look at the relationship between the patient’s heart rate and physical position (sitting or standing), as well as how exercise affects the heart rate. Electrophysiology studies may also be used to look at the heart's electrical system. TreatmentTreatment of bradycardia will vary from one patient to another and will depend on the type, severity and cause of their condition. In some cases, when the abnormal heart rhythm is caused by an underlying condition, such as hypothyroidism, treatment may focus on addressing that underlying condition. Treatment options may include adjusting current medication and sometimes surgery. Because medications that are used to control blood pressure and other conditions — such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers — may cause bradycardia, a patient's medications may be adjusted. In some cases, surgery may be needed to implant a pacemaker if other treatment options do not adequately address the condition. The knowledgeable and highly trained staff at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute will work with each patient to determine the best treatment option. © 2000-2022 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions. Not what you're looking for? |